Global Lean Leader

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Global Lean Leader based in United States .

This role offers the opportunity to lead Lean transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across a global organization. You will partner with senior operating leaders to embed Lean principles, behaviors, and tools that drive measurable improvements in operational and transactional performance. The position combines strategic development with hands‑on problem solving, Kaizen facilitation, process optimization, and cultural change. You will influence initiatives spanning manufacturing, logistics, new product introduction, automation, robotics, and emerging AI opportunities. The role requires strong collaboration with management teams and business stakeholders to identify opportunities and deliver sustainable improvements. This is a high‑impact leadership position for an experienced Lean professional passionate about operational excellence and transformation.

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Accountabilities:

• Partner with operating leaders and key stakeholders to develop and implement robust Lean and continuous improvement strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Drive cultural transformation by embedding Lean behaviors, principles, and tools across the organization using a Toyota Lean approach.
• Develop and implement best-practice Lean visions, strategies, policies, processes, and procedures that improve operational and transactional performance.
• Apply Lean methodologies including 5S, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, SMED, Single Piece Flow, Strategy Deployment, Kanban, Heijunka, daily management at Genba, SQDIP/SQDC, VOC, and action planning.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and apply structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to address operational challenges.
• Provide project management, analytical, research, and professional advisory expertise to support business improvement initiatives.
• Monitor project progress, risks, dependencies, budgets, resources, critical milestones, issues, and upcoming initiatives to support successful delivery.
• Identify opportunities for business improvement and conduct risk assessments across processes and departmental activities.
• Support Design for Excellence (DfX) and New Product Introduction initiatives by promoting manufacturability, automation, and standardization.
• Support manufacturing and logistics automation and robotics projects from a Lean perspective and ensure effective alignment between 3P methodologies and automation or robotics integration.
• Evaluate make-or-buy opportunities and identify, assess, and deploy proven practices across the organization.
• Evaluate and implement emerging AI opportunities that can improve operational performance and efficiency.
• Drive intra-functional Value Stream Mapping and contribute to the organization's operational rhythm.
• Support new business initiatives and projects by assessing and communicating their impact on Lean activities.
• Continuously develop Lean capabilities through training, knowledge sharing, and practical application of improvement methodologies.

Requirements:

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.
• Bring at least 10 years of experience implementing Lean methodologies in dedicated Lean roles within the manufacturing industry, with 14 years of overall professional experience.
• Demonstrate strong practical expertise in Lean methodologies including 5S, Standard Work, VSM, SMED, Single Piece Flow, Strategy Deployment, Kanban, Heijunka, daily management, SQDIP/SQDC, VOC, and action planning.
• Possess strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities, along with proven experience facilitating Kaizen initiatives.
• Demonstrate experience with manufacturing transformation, continuous improvement, automation, robotics, and process standardization.
• Have strong project management, analytical, communication, presentation, and stakeholder-influencing skills.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial acumen to understand the business impact of operational improvement initiatives.
• Be fluent in English, with the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across a global organization.
• Possess strong prioritization and time management skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrate a strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate future business needs and translate them into Lean and operational improvement opportunities.
• Show a collaborative approach and the ability to influence organizational change through effective leadership and communication.

Benefits:

• Fully remote work arrangement.
• Opportunity to lead global Lean transformation and operational excellence initiatives.
• Exposure to international manufacturing, logistics, automation, robotics, AI, and New Product Introduction projects.
• Opportunity to partner directly with senior operating leaders and key business stakeholders.
• Broad scope across strategy, continuous improvement, process optimization, and cultural transformation.
• Opportunity to establish and deploy standardized Lean practices, workflows, and improvement methodologies.
• Exposure to global business initiatives and cross-functional Value Stream Mapping.
• Opportunities for continuous training and professional development.
• Relocation assistance is not provided.

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